The most important, as the most frequently employed, rifles projecting small-calibre bullets were the Krag-Joergensen, Mauser, Lee-Metford, and Guedes, given in the order of increase of calibre (from 6.5 to 8 millimetres, or .254-.314 in.) in the bullets. As to the seriousness of wounds produced by these there is little to choose, differences in character being only those of degree. Such differences depended on the area of tissue implicated, corresponding with the calibre of the particular bullet, the comparative weight of the bullet, and the degree of velocity of flight maintained at the moment of impact. When, however, any of these bullets have been exposed in their flight to influences capable of causing deformity of their outline and symmetry, peculiarities of construction and in the composition of the metals employed in their manufacture may materially alter the character of the wounds produced and revolutionise a classification founded purely on the relative weight, calibre, and degree of velocity with which each is endowed. TABLE I [Transcriber's note: table split to fit on page.] +-------------------+----------------+------------------+----------------+ | | Martini-Henry | Guedes | Lee-Metford | +-------------------+----------------+------------------+----------------+ |Calibre of rifle | .45 in. | .314 in. | .303 in. | |Number of grooves | 7 | 4 | 7 | |One twist in | 22 in. to right|9.85 in. to right | 10 in. to left | |Muzzle velocity | 1,300 f.s. | 1,988 f.s. | 2,000 f.s. | |Sighted to | 1,450 yds. | 2,600 paces | 2,800 yds. | |Weight of cartridge| 758 grains |464.05 grains[6] | 416-1/2 grains | |Weight of bullet | 480 grains | 244 grains | 215 grains | |Length of bullet | 1.250 in. | 1.250 in. | 1.250 in. | |Calibre of bullet | .450 in. | .315 in. | .309 in. | |Charge of powder | 85 grains | 20-23 grains | 31-1/2 grains | | | (black powder) | (nitro- | (cordite) | | | | smokeless) | | |Nature of alloy | -- | Mantle: Mild | Cupro-nickel | | used for mantle | | steel, greased | | | of bullet | | | | |Thickness of | -- | -- | Mark II. bullet| | mantle | | | | |Tip | -- | .031 | .036 | |Sides .984 from tip| -- | .011 | .015 | +-------------------+----------------+------------------+----------------+